Apple files patent application for removable back covers with different camera lens options

Apple has come up with a way for users of the Apple iPhone to be able to switch camera lens and add certain functionality to the rear shooter. The Cupertino based company has filed a patent application titled, "Back Panel for a Portable Electronic Device with Different Camera Lens Options". Such options could include a back cover with a camera lens sporting an IR-filter that allows the user to take black and white pictures in low light. Another back cover could include a close-up lens that would allow the Apple iPhone to be used in extreme close-up photography.

Diagram from Apple's patent application

The removable back cover could also have a way to enhance the phone's battery with a small power source built into it. Even some control chips could be added. This could take the premise of swapping out the back cover to a new level including one cover that would offer a camera lens having an optical zoom feature controlled by gestures made on the touch screen. Or, how about a cover that replaces the shutter on the camera with a mechanical one? This would give Apple iPhone users better control of the exposure speed when photographing quickly moving objects. Another strong idea is one that would allow a removable back cover of the Apple iPhone to feature a stroboscopic flash, using a secondary battery built into the cover as a power supply. The optical element on the back cover could even be an optical image stabilizer that uses the phone's accelerometer to know what directions the camera is moving while filming a video or a snapshot, and cancel out movement effects on your pictures and videos.

A whole line of removable covers sounds like a possible money making opportunity for Cupertino if they can get around the issues of design, engineering and manufacturing such an accessory. It offers more choices than simply upgrading the camera would, and would allow for a bit of customization on a phone not really known for it.

No, Google filled a patent for the notification pull-down after it was on Android.

Google also filled a patent for Google Glasses after the prototype was revealed to the world

Samsung, in another recent article, patent a new S Pen, which already exist (acting as a prototype).

Apple, on the other hand so far from what I can remember, patented an advanced way of Face Unlock, an optical stylus, non-rectangular battery, some weird magnet lock thing and now this. All of which are great ideas, but will never see light of day, because if Apple can't make them (and we all know they can't), no one can.

The only thing which Apple patented that exist is Slide to Unlock, which even then is a stupid @$$ patent. It's like Honda or Ford patenting the steering wheel, or the idea of car keys.

apple rarely shows prototypes of anything... no drawings or anything.. we dont know until it is announced... why would they show us their future technology when their company is based on hype and secrecy?

and the whole patent system needs a revision.. why fault apple for using it

This should not be granted (removable back) since phones comes with a removable back before/since window mobile (in order to reset the phone from freezing up), and since we/you can switch camera lens now, Patent should be deny!

So Apple think their phone is a DSLR with replaceable lenses??? what nonsense.. and those cover's with lens are going to be very expensive as it has always been with Apple's accessories!!
and this is a stupid patent too.. come on now Apple gonna sue just because any other mobile phone manufacturer has removable back panel??

I think it is kind of a cool idea though. Have three lenses ... one that does a wide angle for those close group shots ... one with a little telephoto to bring those far away shots up a little closer (versus using the digital zoom) ... and maybe a macro one for super close stuff.

I'm no Apple fan because my Android is the BOMB!!!!!! I must say this is a fabulous idea. I've always thought about coming up with an idea of putting different back covers for your phone that you can change the zoom or color options, with all of the 8 meg and soon to be higher pixle cameras coming out. I'm no Apple fan again but I'd say that is innovation. Good luck to ya Apple cause you're going to need something like that to compete with the Galaxy S3..GO ANDROID!!!!!!

16.angelesmec (unregistered)

I agree on it being a waste. The iPhone 4S just now caught up to other phones with the camera, as they were using a 5MP before (and 3MP on the 3GS), while several phones like the Thunderbolt, Droid 3, EVO 4G and the Droid Incredible had been doing 8MP well before the 4S hit shelves.

Now they are trying to get ahead of them by employing different camera lenses that you can swap out? An interesting idea, yes, but for those who want to pre-filter their pictures before taking them, I can only imagine it will be expensive. Camera lenses aren't cheap...and this is Apple we're talking about, so...ah, forget it. It won't stop them from throwing out (or throwing away) even more money to say they have the newest stuff from Apple.

It'll be interesting to see if this comes to the next iPhone or a future iPhone/iDevice. I'm sure that if this does come out, there will be all kinds of 3rd party developers and manufacturers making ways for this to be used in other ways than Apple intends. I could see someone making something that would allow microSD cards to be used on the iPhone, some kind of solar panel that would charge/power the iPhone, and something like article said “a camera lens having an optical zoom feature controlled by gestures made on the touch screen.” I could see using 2 or 3 fingers in a rotating motion to zoom in and out with an optical zoom. I guess that we’ll just have to wait and see what, if anything, comes of it.

they will fail...like they did with the legal battles. Only a matter of time. Thats why they are selling to cricket and other prepaids. Now everyone on welfare will have iphones....great status symbol apple :0)

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